BPL’s 2026 Big Borrows (So Far!)

Canadian author Louise Penny claims the number one spot once again! Last year, The Grey Wolf topped our mid-year list. This year, The Black Wolf takes the honour with an impressive 422 checkouts since January—80 more borrows than the print edition of The Grey Wolf. Readers will be happy to know Penny's 21st Inspector Gamache mystery arrives this October.

When a devastating terrorist plot appears to have been stopped, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache soon discovers it was only the beginning. Recovering from injuries in the quiet village of Three Pines, he and his trusted team race to uncover a far-reaching conspiracy hidden in plain sight. As powerful forces work behind the scenes to spread fear and division, Gamache must outwit an invisible enemy before catastrophe strikes.

Borrow The Black Wolf by Louise Penny

Readers borrowed Lisa Jewell's twisty psychological thriller, Don't Let Him In, 381 times in the first half of the year. And it looks like her latest novel, It Could Have Been Her, is already shaping up to be another hit (stay tuned for our year-end roundup!).

A grieving widow's chance connection with an old friend of her late husband seems comforting—until her daughter begins asking unsettling questions. Meanwhile, another woman grows increasingly suspicious of her husband's frequent absences and carefully crafted explanations. As the two storylines collide, long-buried secrets lead to a chilling truth that no one saw coming.

Borrow Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

Released in October 2025, John Grisham's #1 New York Times bestseller, The Widow, had 367 borrows, making it Burlington's third-most-borrowed physical book so far this year.

A small-town lawyer believes he's landed the client of a lifetime when an elderly widow entrusts him with her fortune. But after a suspicious accident, he suddenly finds himself accused of murder, with the evidence stacked against him. To clear his name, he must untangle a web of deception before it's too late.

Borrow The Widow by John Grisham

After an eight-year break, Dan Brown returns to Harvard professor Robert Langdon's adventures in his sixth novel, The Secret of Secrets. The long-awaited thriller was borrowed 347 times in the first half of 2026.

A visit to Prague draws professor Robert Langdon into a deadly mystery when a groundbreaking scientist vanishes after a shocking murder. Pursued across Europe and beyond, he must unravel clues that blend ancient mythology, cutting-edge science, and hidden secrets about human consciousness. It's another globe-spanning adventure filled with puzzles, danger, and unexpected discoveries.

Borrow The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

A longtime favourite with BPL readers, Shari Lapena makes her first appearance on our Big Borrows list with the gripping domestic thriller She Didn't See It Coming, borrowed 335 times since January.

When a wife and mother vanishes without a trace from her luxury condominium, detectives must determine whether she ever left the building at all. As the investigation unfolds, the seemingly perfect lives of family, friends, and neighbours begin to unravel, revealing secrets hidden behind closed doors. The closer they get to the truth, the more everyone becomes a suspect.

Borrow She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena

After tying for first place in 2025 with 531 loans of the print edition, it's no surprise that The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins remains a favourite. It recorded another 322 borrows in the first half of 2026.

What if the key to a happier, less stressful life is letting go of what you can't control? Mel Robbins encourages readers to stop worrying about other people's opinions, choices, and expectations, and instead focus on their own goals and well-being. Filled with practical advice and relatable examples, this bestselling guide offers a simple mindset shift for creating positive change.

Borrow The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

Another familiar face from last year's list, Freida McFadden's The Crash continues to be a favourite with BPL readers, earning 317 borrows so far this year.

Eight months pregnant and fleeing a troubled past, Tegan becomes stranded in a blizzard after a devastating car accident. Rescued by a seemingly kind couple, she soon realizes the isolated cabin isn't the safe haven it appears to be. Trapped by the storm and running out of options, she must fight to protect both herself and her unborn child.

Borrow The Crash by Freida McFadden

First published in 2018, The Surrogate Mother was rereleased in 2025 just as a Sony Pictures film adaptation entered development—helping introduce the thriller to a new wave of readers. BPL members borrowed it 304 times during the first half of 2026.

After years of heartbreak, Abby's dream of becoming a mother finally seems within reach when her assistant offers to be her surrogate. But what begins as an extraordinary act of generosity quickly takes a dark turn as disturbing secrets come to light. As trust gives way to fear, Abby discovers that some gifts come at a terrifying cost.

Borrow The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden

Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir, Nobody's Girl, resonated strongly with Burlington readers, recording 301 print borrows so far this year. Her powerful account tells the story behind the headlines surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and the abuse she survived.

Giuffre shares her own account of surviving abuse, trafficking, and exploitation at the hands of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. With honesty and remarkable courage, she reflects on her childhood, her fight for justice, and her determination to help other survivors find their voices. It's a deeply personal story of resilience, advocacy, and hope.

Borrow Nobody's Girl by Virginia Giuffre

Michael Connelly's detective thriller continues its strong run with 282 borrows so far this year. And with 370 checkouts in 2025, Nightshade has been a steady favourite over the past year.

After department politics sideline him to a quiet posting on Catalina Island, Detective Stilwell expects a slower pace of life. Instead, the discovery of a body in the harbour and a series of dangerous investigations reveal a web of corruption beneath the island's tranquil surface. As the cases converge, Stilwell risks everything in pursuit of the truth.

Borrow Nightshade by Michael Connelly

Fresh off winning the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans rounds out this year's Big Borrows list with 280 physical book loans.

At 73, retired lawyer Sybil Van Antwerp has spent a lifetime expressing herself through letters—some sent, others never meant to be read. When unexpected correspondence forces her to revisit a painful chapter from her past, she must confront old regrets and consider the power of forgiveness. Told through Sybil's heartfelt letters, this award-winning novel is a thoughtful exploration of memory, family, and second chances.

Borrow The Correspondent by Virginia Evans